Aeroplane-level indicator.



0. c. OWEN; AEROPLANE LEVEL INDICATOR, APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5. I9I6.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY I DOUGLAS CHARLES OWEN, OF I-IARI)IiiNBUBG; NEW YORK.

AEROPL ANE-LEVEL INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

Application filed October 5, 1916. Serial No. 123,925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS C. OWEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hardenburg', in the county of Ulster and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplane- Level Indicators, of which the followlng is a specification.

This invention has reference, generally, to geometrical instruments; and, the invention relates, for ascertaining the pitch of aeroplanes when flying. v

The invention has for its principal object toq'provide a device of the character stated, whereby the aviator Will be accu rately advised of the pitch of the aeroplane, and may definitely ascertain the position as sumed by the machine when the same is ascending or descending, consequently allowing the planes to be properly ad us ted.

Still further, the invention embodies an improved support means, the same being so mounted as to prevent accidental displacement thereof or material undue play.

Other and further improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will .be appreciated from the description to follow, which for a clear understanding of vthe invention should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof wherein a preferred embod ment of the invention is shown for the purpose of illustration. v

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device showing part of the same broken away and in sections,

And Fig. 2 is a top plan.

With more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding arts throughout the several views, the device comprises a supporting base indicated in its entirety by the numeral 1, the said base having arranged upon the lowermost portion thereof, an angular flange 2, in which there is arranged a plurality of openings for receiving screws 3, the said screws being embedded within a suitable object or support and the base is thus permanently secured in position. The upper portion of the supporting base 1 1S dished to form a. concaved seat as indicated by the numeral 4, into which the pitch inmore particularly, to a novel means for the pitch indicating.

dicating means, which Will-be presently described, is placed.

WVith a View toward providing for means whereby the pitch or angular movement of the aeroplane may be ascertained during the flight thereof, there is provided a hollow spherical body 5, the same being formed of a suitable transparent material, such as glass, or the like. Alcohol, light oil, or other relatively non-expansible fluid is contained Within the hollow spherical body 5 and is 7 indicated by the numeral 6. It is evident that the placing of the fluid 6 within the spherical .body, may occur during the molding thereof if so desired. A'bu'bble 'Z is blown therein and as will be understood,

will remain at all times in alinement with the vertical axis of the spherical body. Hence, should the positioning of the supporting base 1 be changed, due. to the varied flight of the aeroplane, such movement will cause the tilting of the spherical body 5, the bubble 7 however remaining at all times, in its normal position. In order thatthe pitch of the spherical body 5 may be correctly ascertained, there is arranged about the said body, a. plurality of circumferentially extending graduations, generally indicated by the numeral 8. If desired, designating numerals, designating the numerals of the various graduations may be arranged in proximity thereto. To secure the spherical body 5 within the concaved seat 4, there is arranged thereabout, a screen 9, preferably formed of coarse mesh, the ends thereof, as will be obvious, upon reference to Fig. 1, being connected to the periphery of the supporting base 1 in any suitable manner, such as by soldering, welding, or the like, and thus it will be evident that undue vertical and lateral movement of the spherical body 5 is prevented.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that with my improved device arranged upon an aeroplane, should the course thereof be changed, that is, the pitch of the machine varied, the aviator will be accurately advised thereof by merely noting the position By placing a non-volatile fluid within the hollow spherical body 5, it is evident that breakage of the same due to expansion is eliminated, furthermore liability of freezing the same, due to the low temperatures to which it will be subjected, will be lessened.

Although I have described my improved device as being particularly adapted for use in conjunction with aeroplanes, it may be here noted that the device may be equally well used upon vehicles, and when so used, will serve in the capacity of the usual gradometer, thereby providing means which will enable the driver of the vehicle to be definitely advised of the pitch of the various grades as traversed by the vehicle.

Vhile I have herein illustrated and described with a considerable degree of particularity, constructural details of the de vice embodying my invention, it is to be understood that-the invention is not limited to the particular form and arrangement of the several parts, which may be modified Within a wide range without departing from the essence of the invention, the construction shown and the description based thereon, being intended to be taken in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

I claim:

A level comprising a supporting base, said base having a semi-spherical pocket formed therein to provide 'a seat, a spherical transparent body receivable within said seat, said body having two sets of crossed circumferentially extending graduations arranged thereon, fluid means contained within said body with an air bubble within said body 1' or indicating the angular movement of said base, and reticulate means engaged around said base and extending over said spherical body for retaining the latter in proper position in-said base. 7

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DOUGLAS CHARLES O'WEN. Witnesses:

RALPH IV. MUNGLE, C. S. SANFORD. 

